Are the swords in some web sites really that good??

[Rafael]

Hello, this is my first message , this site has really grasped my old interest in japanese swords.
I have a dillemma , i want buy a a iaito or katana , good for pratice but not to expensive ( in the order of the 100 euros\180). Before i post this i have been reading this site for two days straight, and by what i have fond out in matter of information, it looks, like theres a lot of sites like http://www.eurobogu.net/index.php?u...ist&ucid=31 (http://www.eurobogu.net/index.php?ucf=productslist&ucid=31) or http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/erol.html#1x0&& (http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/erol.html#1x0&&) and http://www.superiormartialarts.com/...&affiliate= (http://www.superiormartialarts.com/cgi-bin/uniform/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=thispage&thispage=samuraisword.html&ORDER_ID=249821247&affiliate=)!affiliate! in this sites theres iaito that are considered good for practicing and whithin my monetary possibilities, but in all the messages i have seen, many say that a good iaito for handling instead of wall display gotta cost at least above 250 euros (pratickly the same in usd) , and in the last site (at least thats what they say) at the price of 95 usd theres one good for pratice and demonstrations (but its a katana not a iaito) . i put this question because i aint sure if its a good choice to get one of them, but its the only way i can get a a iaido or katana in a near future.

I have also been looking for a dojo that pratices iaido or battojutsu near me but i live in lisbon , Portugal, and in this country martials arts like that aren´t that spread, if someone is familiar with some iaido federation in here could yu plz reply ?

[chidokan]

there is some really dodgy stuff out there so be careful. The best bet is to go to an iaido class and listen to the teacher for recommendations.
If you cant wait at least check if the following are present on the sword...
1. a bamboo pin to hold the handle on, not metal or nothing at all.
2. the tang of the blade goes at least two thirds up into the handle.
3. the point is not too long and curved,no more than an inch and a half as this makes it difficult to use for iaido.
4. the sword is not too heavily curved, ( difficult to draw)
Cheapest suitable iaito I've ever seen was around £150 in Kyoto at a taikai. You would have to pay import duty etc, so look at least around £200 and above.
This site isnt bad on prices (use Babelfish on alta vista to read it in english)

http://www.sekiryu.co.jp/

[Rafael]

Thanks for the site Hamilton sensei, im now thinking about saving a little more money and buying one of thoses iaitos better to have one thats really a good one, already have one in mind, (because of my size and the correspondent length), its just like the classical appearence i been wanting to purchase, all black with a wave like hamon.
I have also fond a iaido dojo , but its far from my current house, so im thinking of going there only to collect some info about any possible iaido dojo near me, as well as some info on weapons importation laws (even if its a iaito), dont want it to be trapped at Customs, (better ask the police too , im going there tomorrow), even if it gets past that, better inquire about weapons possession laws in here, with that all thing about the new weapons laws in Australia, i want to make it perfect so no mistakes and problems appears as my dear iaito is ordered.
One more time i want to thank you again for your help, it has been most precious.

Ps: Rottunpunk treads and yours are most hilarious, keep it going lol......

[chidokan]

good luck with your 'dojo hunt'. Buy the sword AFTER you find a dojo. And please dont mention that little annoying female, I've just eaten my dinner..... :smiley:

[Soliber]

Exactly what I was wondering about too. I can hardly believe that a katana, costing around 300€ or something like that, is something a real samourai from the old days would want to walk around with. So how can you you get a good idea, just from the specs on a site, if a katana is likely to snap soon or not?

[chidokan]

a new katana starts around the £2000 mark, and goes as high as you are prepared to pay. Personally I prefer the 'antique' types, around the same price but a bit cheaper as they have been preowned and the fittings can be changed to suit. If you are lucky you can sometimes find high quality blades in ww2 mounts, but these are becoming harder to find nowadays.